Do you think you know when you are going to die?

Sending you kindest thoughts

My very best wishes, but they are for a very speedy recovery. I remember Mum when she was well over 80 was pretty poorly with a little stroke and virus, and had made up her mind that that was that.

She lived to 101.

Sending very good wishes. On a positive note, my 94-year old Mum was in hospital not expected to last the night. However she sat up for breakfast in the morning and lived another 3 years.

I well remember my darling Gran basically saying goodbye to me when I went to visit her for our usual Saturday afternoon chat. It felt important. It gave me the chance to thank her for everything. That night she went to sleep and didn't wake up. I've always thought that somehow she knew.

Macaydia, you have been through some tough times, so it's not surprising that you are having such dark thoughts.
We all should put our affairs in order, of course, to help our families after our demise, but none of us can guarantee the morrow.
I hope that your spirits lift soon, and that you have brighter days ahead.

I think my husband knew he was dying. He was in hospital, very ill, on oxygen, but able to ask for ‘ a sedative’. He did not come round after that. I think he just wanted not to linger for any more hours.
However prior to that last heart attack, he seemed to think he was immortal. Discussing anything about his death was out of the question.
So whilst it is good to think positively, it is also important to be realistic - we are not immortal!- and make preparations to leave one’s affairs in order and ensure that loved ones know our wishes.

Wise words Cabbie. My parents thought death was for other people.

My Nan always said my grandad gave her a really big hug before he went to work this particular morning usually it was a quick kiss ‘bye see you later’ but this particular morning he hugged her for a while . Two hours later she got word that his secretary had found him dead, resting his head on his arms on his desk.
That’s the only person I ve ever known of

I am not gloomy or down. I am just asking from a scientific percpective. Thank you for all of your kind words and support. We will all live as long as we are supposed to.

If I start having conversations with my grandparents in the room, I will let you know !

I had a dear friend who died at age 91. She was always cheerful, kind and optimistic and had a lovely family who gave her constant love and care.
One day she said, ‘I’ve had a long and happy life, I think I’m ready to go.’ She was not ill or suffering but died soon afterwards.

I don't think we know when we are going to die but I do think we sometimes become aware of our own mortality. I've had two occasions in the last four years when something has happened and I understood that I might die. I felt very calm and peaceful, not at all afraid or worried. On the first occasion I did write a few notes about whom I wanted treasured pieces of jewellery to go to and I made a complete recovery. I think you have had some serious health issues that must have really shaken you, hopefully you'll continue to recover and feel less pessimistic about the future. I hope so. Good wishes to you.

I had a friend who at 99 desperately for some reason did not wish to reach 100. She died a few days before her birthday which did not actually exist that year as she was a leap year baby.

I think my mum knew she was ready. According to the carers in her home she was fine all afternoon, then took herself to bed before teatime, very unusual for her, when I visited later she was in a deep sleep and I couldn’t rouse her for long. I instinctively knew she was dying and told the charge nurse that evening she wouldn’t be here long now.
She died a week later.

I am 82 years old. I don't have time to die yet, there is more I want to do, such as declutter my house.

I am not being pessimistic. I am being realistic. To me, death is sad for those you've left.

I knew a lady with ovarian cancer who said she wont die yet because she has so many things she still needs to do but she died three days later.

I dont believe a persons conciousness ends with death but I have no proof either, although my husband died once and hovered in the ceiling corner of the hospital room.

You sound like a lovely person Macaydia and I wish you all the best. None of us knows exactly when we are going to die but serious illness with a poor prognosis will always make us think death is near. I too like to think that consciousness doesn’t end with death and that it continues in some form or other.

The most beautiful explanation was by a Buddhist monk; before we are born we are like part of the ocean, when we are born we are a drop that rises out and up until it reaches a pinnacle, then we slowly descend until we are reabsorbed into the water at death. That makes some kind of sense to me.

🥰
Makes me feel connected. Thank you.

I don't think we talk enough about death, yet it comes to us all.

I know that before death there is a definite smell, and when you look into the eyes, it's as if the soul has left.

You may be feeling this way because your going through such a traumatic time and can't see a positive end. You sound like a very strong lady and may surprise yourself and come through it all. I'm wishing you calmer waters whatever the outcome.

I remember after me and my husband were both in hospital with covid at the same time and he died, coming home to an empty house and being in isolation for another 10 days feeling I was going to die as I still felt so unwell. I wasn't afraid, just sad for my family. I felt at peace and accepted that it was possible.
But fast forward 5 and half years and im still here. Give yourself time to get over all you've been through and hopefully you will start to feel better and enjoy life again.💐🌹💐

What a positive and brave post travelsafar. I hope OP takes comfort from it.

LaCrepescule

You sound like a lovely person Macaydia and I wish you all the best. None of us knows exactly when we are going to die but serious illness with a poor prognosis will always make us think death is near. I too like to think that consciousness doesn’t end with death and that it continues in some form or other.

The most beautiful explanation was by a Buddhist monk; before we are born we are like part of the ocean, when we are born we are a drop that rises out and up until it reaches a pinnacle, then we slowly descend until we are reabsorbed into the water at death. That makes some kind of sense to me.

My version of that is that we are all made up of atoms in the cosmic soup; those atoms coalesce for a time as a human being and when we die they return to the same cosmic soup.

What was the point of it? - I have no idea, but all we can do is live with kindness and take joy where we can.

I think it can also be the opposite and that even when you are seriously, seriously ill (as I was almost 40 years ago now), yet I still never felt I was going to die. I was told later by the doctor in charge that I was so ill that someone in authority must have been looking after me. I said yes, the doctors and nurses had all been great. He looked at me and said quietly, “No, I meant a much higher authority than that.”

Charleygirl5

I am 82 years old. I don't have time to die yet, there is more I want to do, such as declutter my house.

Atta girl Charleygirl5 my sentiments entirely 😀

Macadia, you have been through the mill lately, you're bound to feel weak and rundown, but hopefully as time passes your strength will return,I think it's a good idea to put your wishes down , I have left instructions for our family where everything is.
bank accounts, wills because nobody knows how long we have .You might be feeling a bit depressed, so hope you feel better soon.

My mother-in-law knew.
She called my husband and said something like. I think you should come - today's "my day" (if you know what I mean).

It was an "ordinary" day. Though she apparently hadn't slept well.